Little Sunshine Playhouse-University City provides a warm, engaging, and well-run environment for…read morechildren. The staff is welcoming, diverse, professional, and genuinely nurturing. The school balances structure with fun, offering creative themes and activities that keep children excited to learn. From the beginning, the environment has felt intentional, secure, and thoughtfully designed for kids. Our family enrolled our daughter in August 2025. Before that, she stayed home full-time until age two and was very much a "stage 5 Velcro baby." The transition was emotional at first, especially at drop-off, but the growth we've seen since then has been incredibly encouraging. She now confidently gives hugs goodbye, happily says "bye-bye," and walks into her classroom with ease. She genuinely enjoys school and is happy during pick-up, which gives us peace of mind. There have been a few instances where we needed to remind staff to clean our child's face, hands, or nose after meals or messy play, as well as change her into clean clothes when needed. Parents are asked to provide at least two sets of weather-appropriate spare clothes for this purpose, and on occasion, changes were not made as promptly as we would have preferred. There have also been times when personal items were misplaced. That said, staff consistently communicated with us, made genuine efforts to locate items, and worked to improve. We understand that managing multiple toddlers and their belongings is a common challenge in any preschool setting. What matters to us is that concerns are taken seriously and addressed, which has been our overall experience here. Leadership has been a major strength. Ms. Katelyn, the Director, played a large role in our decision to choose LSP. As parents who were understandably nervous, she spent significant time with us before enrollment, both on the phone and in person, explaining the school's philosophy, operations, safety measures, and procedures. She remains approachable, responsive, and consistently kind. Ms. Lucy, the Assistant Director, is equally welcoming, knowledgeable, and easy to communicate with. Staff shout-outs: Ms. Amanda, a head teacher, is exceptionally friendly, caring, and highly creative. Her warmth and creativity are evident throughout the school. Mr. Daniel is upbeat, professional, and consistently friendly during evening pick-ups. Ms. Alina, another head teacher, is more reserved and has a straightforward, businesslike communication style. Her creativity is visible in school projects and displays. Ms. Niya, our child's current lead teacher, met with us prior to enrollment, gave us a full tour of the school and playground, and offered reassurance during the transition. She is warm, attentive, and a strong educator. Ms. Victoria, Ms. Sabrina, Ms. Jaela, Ms. Wafae, Ms. Nabila, and Ms. Cassie have all been kind, professional, and attentive in their roles. Communication is excellent. Phones are always answered, and messages through the app are returned promptly, usually within the hour. When concerns are raised, leadership responds quickly and respectfully. The school is clean, beautifully decorated, and secure. Drop-off and pick-up are smooth, classroom ratios are followed, and security measures (controlled entry, cameras, and app communication) are strong. Meals and snacks are included, hours are 6:30 AM-6 PM, and nap time is well-structured and age-appropriate. One important note for families is cost. It's expensive. Little Sunshine Playhouse is on the higher end and is priced as a premium program. Overall, our family is very happy with Little Sunshine Playhouse-University City and would confidently recommend it to families seeking a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for their child.

I would not recommend this school/daycare…read more The amount of turnover is ridiculous. You never know who will be watching your child from day to day. Leadership will move your children around to accommodate state requirements for staffing, so children are moved up before they are ready so new students can be added to the program. Your child is not a child, they are a dollar sign.

We originally checked out Samuel preschool because it came highly recommended by a neighbor, the…read morelocation was great and the hours were what we wanted. What we've found is a wonderful program where our son has developed into a curious and imaginative boy. I attribute some of this to the fact that the children are exposed to different subjects and topics, the artwork that comes home is truly his own (not done by the teacher) and they are given responsibility appropriate for their age. I am glad we found Samuel for our son and are excited that we have just enrolled our younger son in their young 2's program this January. There are many programs available, but if you want one of the best, check out Samuel Pre-K!

My daughter has attended Samuel for two years and it's been a wonderful experience. We are looking…read moreforward to sending her younger sister there next year as well. As both a parent and certified Early Childhood teacher, I can confidently say that this preschool and it's staff have the young students best interests at the forefront of all they do. Children at Samuel are cared for and feel safe and secure as they learn to love school! -

This school is one of a kind! From the unique campus, to the amazing teachers, Forsyth provides a…read morechallenging but nurturing environment for all different types of learners. I have one graduate from Forsyth and two children who currently attend the school. It has been amazing to see how prepared my oldest child was when she started at a local, independent 7-12 secondary school upon graduation from Forsyth. Her transition was seamless and we have Forsyth to thank! My two kids who still attend Forsyth are very different children and I have been so thankful for the teachers' abilities to really know my kids from both a learning and emotional perspective. The individual attention the kids at Forsyth receive is priceless.

Forsyth School is by far one of the most prestigious private elementary schools (K-3 through 6th…read moregrade) in the St. Louis area. Forsyth takes a unique holistic approach to child development and education, through its "Challenge" program which is the foundation upon which the Forsyth curriculum is structured. Located adjacent to Washington University and across from Forest Park, Forsyth School has an unforgettable campus with classrooms in six repurposed, historic houses. Forsyth is all about challenge; with support from great teachers and classmates; and independence of thought and expression. It's a place where personal best counts: on the field, on the stage, in the classroom, and on the high ropes course in the the Forsyth Adventure Center. It's a place to stretch beyond your comfort zone; memory mapping, Shakespeare plays, and challenge days. Here children develop critical thinking skills; they learn that if they work hard, they can accomplish difficult and complex projects. Forsyth graduates are well prepared for the most selective secondary schools. Remember, you get what you pay for so tuition cost is moderate. Can you put a price on your child's education? Forsyth also offers after school care and Summer Camps!

The best place a kid can grow and learn. My son has been there since he was 6 months and they care…read morefor him like his is there child. In this day and age I believe this is very important. He doesn't go there full time anymore but he still attend before and after school care and he still get treated as if he is family. They are awesome!!!

From the owner: Specializing in: - Day Care Centers & Nurseries…read more- Preschools & Kindergarten - Private Schools (K-12) - Child Care - Schools

We are finally happy with our daycare! It took us three (?!) tries to find a place where my…read moredaughter and I both felt comfortable. Our daughter is bright, and we love that ERA keeps them moving throughout the day, taking them to different rooms to learn different things like music, Spanish, and science! She's been there for about two months and had a good transition. So far, we've been very happy here! If you're an anxious mom like me, I recommend you check it out.

After an extensive daycare search we chose Elaine Rosi Academy for our first baby. If you're…read morethinking about coming here you need to get on the list literally as soon as you find out you're pregnant. I got on the list in May looking for a January spot and there wasn't an opening until April. I took it and luckily someone dropped out and I was able to get their spot for January. They also make you pay $100/month to stay on the waitlist but it goes towards your tuition when you start. The building is secure they buzz you in and out. The staff is incredibly friendly my daughter interacts positively towards each of her teachers. They have made me feel at home and at ease leaving my baby in their care. They also have an app that keeps you updated throughout the day and they will send you a selfie! I'm not going to lie and say this is an affordable daycare it's definitely not. However I feel the price is worth it for the education and piece of mind!

My two sons are in their second year at Ethical Society Nursery School and we could not be happier…read morewith our experience. The play-based learning structure combined with talented, nurturing teachers has resulted in so many positive developmental strides in my children. They have made great friends and it's become our home away from home. With affordable tuition and an amazing community, this is seriously the best preschool in the Ladue / Clayton / U City area!

So thankful for this cozy, caring, wonderful school. Our daughter is so happy to go to school every…read moremorning. We've made wonderful friendships with parents and kids and staff alike. Thank you ESNS for being reasonably priced, flexible, and welcoming. We're so thankful for our second home

I worked here for 5 months and there's a reason why it was so short. There are so many problems…read morehere that they like to hide. The staff is toxic and cliche-y, and spends their time overtly rejecting the teachers that aren't like them. The management plays favorite employees based on seniority and makes it very obvious, as well as treats good employees like shit until they quit. They act like they have high standards for their teachers but will hire anyone just as a body to keep the school running in ratio. The lesson plans are very minimal and unimpressive compared to other schools, and many teachers are very unattentive. So your kids sit playing with the same boring toys while their teachers stand around and gossip instead of engaging your children.

We are new to the organization (our daughter started this week), but so far I'd have to say I'm…read morevery impressed with this organization overall. We want our child to grow up in a diverse setting so that she doesn't grow up to become a bumpkin who's afraid of everyone who looks different than she does! This is a special place in STLs where a diverse community comes together with the Common goal of helping children and families. The person who helped us get enrolled, Tameka, is super nice and helpful, as are the other staff we've met. I think UCCC is doing great things for the community. Our daughter is having a hard time adjusting, but every time I pick her up, someone is comforting her. I recommend you take a tour! Updated review: So, we ended up pulling our child after about four weeks. She was having a hard time adjusting and never really warmed to the place. She also got something like four injuries in her first two weeks, and had more than one knot on the head in the short time she was there. More than once, it happened outside on their concrete playground, and the teacher was unable to tell me what happened. I took my concerns about her adjustment to the director, who kind of blew me off and directed me back to her teachers. They also didn't do anything academically structured in terms of learning letters, shapes, colors, etc. We switched and LOVE our new place. With that said, some bonuses - the teachers in our room were good people who try hard at a difficult job. Some of the staff there are great. I also think the coming together of cultures here is special and hard to find anywhere else. So I would say this place could be great for some kids, just not for us in particular. Still worth checking out if you're looking for daycare.

My son joined the Wilson school since JK. We looked around a few private schools around the area…read more The Wilson is the best fit for our son and our family. The teacher and leaders are friendly and open-minded. My son loves to go to school, he used to be shy, but now he is confident. We are glad we chose the Wilson School; at first, I was worried about one cohort per grade, but in the end, it turned out perfect; they learned how to respect and accept their differences, and everyone gets along. The teachers provided positive, immediate feedback about their performance at school. Schools provide enough extra activities after-school, like math club, chess club, music lessons, drama classes, and some sports, etc. It is enough but does not overwhelm the parent. So I don't have to drive him around to take the extra class. They also have summer camps, spring, and winter. It is lovely, so I know there is always somewhere he can go. I am an anxious mum, but when my son is in Wilson school, I don't worry about him, and I can focus on my job. I know they will take good care of him. He is not pleased that I picked him up so early. He wants to stay in school longer.

I absolutely LOVE The Wilson School!!!…read more Do yourself and those you love a favor and check this school out for your children, friends, and family members! Wilson serves Pre-K through 6th grade. My daughter goes to The Wilson School and I absolutely love it! She gets an excellent education, they cater to the children's needs, they are committed to social and emotional well-being of the children and not solely academics, the families are more of a community than just parents. It's the most warm and welcoming environment EVER! Additionally, being in the midst of a pandemic, they did not miss a beat. Our school seamlessly switched to online learning and the kids remained engaged and didn't fall behind educationally. They also respected if some children needed adjustments because of the impact that quick shift and social isolation was having on the kiddos and adjusted workloads because the children's mental health was what mattered most. I am immune compromised and TERRIFIED of COVID-19, but we were able to safely send our daughter in person to school because they have gone above and beyond CDC Guidelines and safety measures. Kids' classes are their cohorts and they don't mix cohorts (5th grade has about 20 students total). They have space to break up, they use outdoor spaces and tents, etc. Masking hasn't been an issue...It's been absolutely wonderful! Also, they have the option (which is another thing I attribute lack of COVID-19 spreading at the school) of ConnectED Flex which means that even if my child is an in person student, if I feel the need to keep her home for a few days, weeks, or months, I can do that and she's learning along with her classmates. She doesn't miss a beat. Some people have used this option if they think they may have been exposed or if they had family gatherings and didn't want to risk harm to the rest of The Wilson School family. When numbers got high before Thanksgiving, I brought my daughter home virtually and have kept her home as I watched how things shook out after the holidays. She went back in person when I felt comfortable and didn't lose a step!! Seamless! Oh, and they frequently hold Town Halls to get parents' input on how things are going and what we would like to see and send surveys for us to voice our thoughts, opinions, desires, etc. They celebrate ALL cultures and holidays. They teach the kids to be independent thinkers and speak up on their own behalf rather than parents doing that which I love (my daughter is in 5th grade, it's different if there's a preschooler of course!). They discuss real, relevant issues like what happened on the 6th at the Capitol or what happened with George Floyd. They know this is on kids' minds and they need not only a safe space to have this conversation, but also to know that other people see their HUMANITY. Depending on one's lived experience, certain issues hit differently and they deserve the space to have the conversations and see things from others' viewpoints while respecting and learning from differences. As a Wilson mom, I could not have dreamed of a better school for my daughter. Prior to coming here, I prayed a school like this existed, but thought I would have to settle because nothing like this could possibly exist. Every single day I feel like I'm living a dream. This school is so amazing from the leadership to the staff, to the teachers, to the parents, and straight to the students. My daughter is happy EVERY DAY. She NEVER wants to miss school and the education she is receiving is PHENOMENAL and beyond anything she's EVER experienced. I can't say enough good things about this school. I could go on and on! Finally, they do also offer tuition assistance so don't be deterred by costs. Hope this helps!

We love guidepost CWE! Ms. Becky and Ms. Madeline are excellent admin! Nido 4 with Harshani and…read moreTalya is where it's at! Communication is great and any concerns are handled very quickly. I'm not sure what was happening 3 years ago but the school got all new admin about 2 years ago. Check out their google reviews!

Do not take your child here because you will NOT get what you pay for. There is ONE person,…read moreincluding the director, who has actually had any Montessori training. This is not a Montessori school at all, it is a barely a daycare. It is not a welcoming place. If you are told "things are changing", they absolutely are not. I wouldn't feel comfortable sending my child here. This location is shameful to Guidepost Montessori's reputation. This school may look good from the outside but please don't waste your money.

Think twice before applying here. There is a $100 non-refundable fee required to apply, yet no…read moreaccountability at all on the Center's part to actually accept your application or provide a spot for your child. So you're essentially paying $100 for the privilege of being told whether or not you can be on a waiting list that may or may not ever generate a spot for your child.